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Two weeks after its launch, Apple wants to know how the iPhone Duo is performing in everyday use. The company is sending a questionnaire via email to a subset of buyers, which closely follows the points that have been most discussed since the launch. It has also arrived in Germany.
The iPhone Duo has been available since October 23rd, and now Apple is asking the first buyers for feedback. The survey arrives via email and asks about the reason for purchase, the outer display, the hinge, and the FaceTime camera under the display. I also received it with my iPhone Duo.
This approach is not new. Apple regularly surveys customers about specific products; last year, for example, they asked Vision Pro owners about their use of the headset and smart glasses.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Apple is sending a survey via email to selected buyers of the iPhone Duo.
- The questions asked about the reason for purchase, the size of the outer display, the visibility of the fold, the camera under the inner display and the image quality, as well as stability and the presence of Touch ID and Face ID.
- A free text field asks what buyers would change or add to the device.
- The questionnaire does not mention apps that have not yet been adapted or cracks in the inner display.
- The questionnaire is comprehensive and also covers battery, speaker, weight and handling when folded.
The topics of the questionnaire
The questionnaire begins with the reason for purchase. Options include the desire to try out Apple's first foldable phone, a spontaneous purchase, and the expectation that smartphones will become more expensive. It then focuses on the 5.4-inch external display, specifically whether the size is suitable when the phone is closed.
Two questions concern the inner display. Apple wants to know how noticeable the crease is to buyers and whether the camera below the screen interferes with use. Another question focuses on the camera's image quality, and another on the device's durability.
Unlocking is also addressed, specifically in several questions. Apple wants to know how satisfied customers are with Touch ID in the side button, which Apple has implemented on the Duo instead of Face ID, and whether they prefer Touch ID or Face ID. The end question leaves room for additions and suggestions for changes.
What's missing from the questionnaire
Some issues that have been relevant since launch are not addressed in the survey. The survey does not ask how apps that are not yet optimized for the two displays perform. However, the proportion of already optimized apps significantly influences how well the inner display can be used in everyday use.
While Apple does ask about stability, the questionnaire doesn't address the cracks in the inner display. Apple has publicly acknowledged the problem in a small number of devices and issued repair guidelines to its stores via an internal memo, without issuing a recall. The questionnaire measures satisfaction with the device's features, not the frequency of defects.
The German version in the mailbox
Apple also sends the survey in Germany, and in German. In my version, there's a section under the question „How satisfied are you with the following aspects of your iPhone Duo?“, with answers provided line by line.
This section is just one part of a much longer questionnaire. It asks about performance, Touch ID, battery life, speaker quality, and reliability without crashes or freezes. It also covers points that are particularly important for foldable devices: whether the device fits in a pocket, its weight, the screen size when folded, and how comfortable it is to hold when folded.
The iPhone Duo, including all specifications, prices, and release dates, has been available in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland since October 23rd. All previous articles about the device can be found on the iPhone Duo topic page.
Where Apple is taking a closer look at the Duo
I find the selection of questions more revealing than the survey itself. The outer display, the crease, and the inner camera are precisely the areas where a foldable differs from a classic iPhone, and therefore the areas where Apple can most easily make adjustments for the next generation.
This is most evident during unlocking. The fact that Apple repeatedly asks about Touch ID and Face ID aligns with a report by Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, who claims that Apple is already internally testing prototypes of the iPhone Duo 2 with Face ID under the outer display. I expect that the answers to precisely these questions will influence the decision on whether Face ID will be included in the second generation.
Those who receive the email should use the free text field. This is where they can add points not covered in the questionnaire, and it's the only part of the survey where their own priorities, rather than Apple's topics, take center stage.
Did you also receive the survey, and what would you write in the blank field if you could change exactly one thing about the iPhone Duo? Tell us in the comments which point is most important to you.
